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We check in with people at each stage of the cash transfer process to see how things are going. Take a look at some of their stories as they appear here in real-time. Learn more about how recipients opt in to share their stories.
Stages:
 
Enrollment
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Transfers
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Completed
Newsfeed > Shadrack's Profile
Shadrack's family
Shadrack
landscapeCountry:
kenya
workOccupation:
Casual labour
faceAge:
26
workCampaign
Standard Kenya
There will be no further updates from this completed recipient.
2nd Payment
Transfer Amount
53150 KES ($515 USD)
access_time 4 years ago
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How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
My life is different from how it was in that, I own important things in my life that I never thought I could possess under my name today such as a parcel of land and goats.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
In my opinion, what GiveDirectly did well was to help us achieve our goals. We were able to buy parcel of land, build houses and even buy goats. People's lives have really changed through unconditional cash transfer. Their is nothing that the organization did not do well.
What did you spend your second transfer on?
I spent part of my transfer on purchasing a piece of land amounting to 45000KES. Currently, I am planning to build a house on it. I have been staying at my sister's place since I had not been able to raise money in order to build a house. As an orphan, this was the right way that I thought of planning my future. I also bought a goat and kept the remaining amount as savings.
 
Initial Payment
Transfer Amount
55000 KES ($545 USD)
access_time over 4 years ago
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Describe the biggest difference in your daily life.
The biggest difference in my daily life is the piece of land that I have bought with this money. I look forward to receiving the next transfer so that I can be able to buy another piece of land and live a new life altogether. This money has brought total transformation in my life and has rekindled the hopes that were almost lost in my life. I never thought I could own a piece of land anytime soon but thanks to GiveDirectly for making this dream a reality.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I felt so happy the moment I received money from GiveDirectly. No amount of words can really express the amount of happiness that I had at that time. I took some minutes to say thank you to God for that miracle of the moment as I planned on how I was going to utilize the same to reap maximum benefits.
What did you spend your first transfer on?
I used most of my recent transfer to buy a piece of land around home. I chose to do this because I am an orphan who does not have a land of my own. The fifteen thousand that remained is going to be used to start a poultry keeping business. I feel so happy that GiveDirectly has enabled me to finally be a land owner; something I never thought I could have achieved anytime soon.
 
Enrolled
access_time over 4 years ago
 
What does receiving this money mean to you?
The small piece of land i currently live in belongs to my uncle who allowed me to build this house i live in after the demise of my parents 10 years ago. Receiving this money therefore will enable me to buy 1acre piece of land @ $400, build a three roomed iron roofed house @ $350 then buy sheep and goats using the remaining money which i will sell in future when they multiply to buy a motorbike for taxi business
What is the happiest part of your day?
I usually spend my day cultivating people's lands to earn a living. Evening is the happiest part of my day since it is the time i come back home to take a rest after completing the tasks of the day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
After the demise of my parents 10 years ago, my uncle took me to be part of his family. It has always been my wish to buy my own land where i can be able to practise subsistence farming, keep livestock as well as practise poutry farming. I currently engage in low paying casual jobs eg. Cultivating people's lands and all the proceeds i usually get at the end of the day (ksh 50-100) are spent in buying food. Self independence is what i always yearn for and i appreciate GD for enrolling me to their program.